Our New Neighborhood Prosecutor|Sneaky Prop 57

More than 20 residents listened to, learned from, and listed problems for Foothill Division’s new Neighborhood Prosecutor, Mark Ross. Ross comes from Rampart Div’s more crowded and severe conditions. His first accomplishment here was getting a perennial Sunland Park-area menace sentenced to 90 days jail followed by three years of probation and stay-away orders from the perp’s stalking grounds. (More below on sentencing in LA vs. actual time served.)

Unlike downtown’s City Attorneys, LA’s 21 Neighborhood Prosecutors deal with repeating problem people and locations, each time increasing penalties. Yet NPs handle only misdemeanors, not felonies. They may call other City services for better lighting, signage, building code violations, trash pickup, etc. Reach Mr. Ross at: (818) 374-6837 and Mark.Ross@LaCity.org

Tujunga Senior Lead Officer Gloria Caloca came in on her day off to host the meeting! SLO Contreras is expected back during October.

■ “Fractional” Sentencing:
Misdemeanors carry a maximum sentence of one year, but County jails are so crowded that every sentence is instantly halved! 90 days becomes 45. Another law enforcement officer said that “one-third time” is the rule: A 90-day sentence equals 30. Violence in the crime can extend shortened sentences. The Sunland Park menace will likely leave jail 30 days—not 90—after entering, but his stay-away orders remain in effect the full 36 months.

■ Proposition 57—Prop 47’s Big Brother:
Proposition 57 would reclassify some violent crimes as “nonviolent.” This reduces the State’s cost of caring for prisoners by transferring it to residents when released criminals rob and mug. READ the propositions! Ignore angelic ads. See which organizations promote and oppose them. Here’s an article on 57: http://bit.ly/2djftr0 . Scroll down to “Arguments” to read about rapes, human trafficking and drive-by shootings.

■ What IS a “Private Person Arrest”?
FIRST: It is NOT—repeat NOT—you laying hands upon, nor trying to physically detain a suspect! It’s you swearing out the complaint when you witness a crime that LAPD did not. If it goes to trial—only 2% do—you’ll be subpoenaed as a witness. While no physical “arrest” or detention may result from your complaint, a judge may use it to increase the suspect’s sentencing in any subsequent crime.

■ Do You Need a “Criminal Protective Order”?
It’s a lot like a Stay-Away Order, but protects people—not locations—from a suspect. Violating a Stay-Away Order usually re-jails the violator for the original crime, but violating a Criminal Protective Order is, in itself, a new and additional crime beyond the crime that caused the order.

■ Saturday 9/17 Vehicle Pursuit:
Occurred when a bank robbery suspect later made threatening statements to a female friend who called LAPD. Suspect was captured just before disappearing into the Wash. Residents’ videos were helpful in suspect and vehicle descriptions, timelines and locations.

■ Crime Watch:
– Crimes were down by 10 last week. Crimes here are seldom violent; mostly burglary, theft and GTA. If we better heeded “Hide it, lock it, keep it!” we’d prevent most vehicle break-ins by sharp-eyed homeless and druggies.
– A current vehicle of interest to LAPD is a white van with black & gold New York plates.
– A resident said equestrians are reluctant to ride in Hansen Dam due to alleged presence of traps or pits.
– There has been no arrest for the recent fire in the Wash.
– To impound a car with an expired registration, officers must wait 6 months and a day.

■ LAPD Substations in S-T? Not So Fast!
A proposed new 7-11 and our Council Office very kindly offer officers a spot to get out of the weather, sit comfortably and make calls or do paperwork. But SLO Caloca says there are too few officers to take advantage of this. If they’re out of sight in a substation, they’re no deterrent. She prefers to remain visible and obvious.

■ Ongoing Book Drive for Foothill Station Kids:
Children accompanying parents to the Station can be a distraction and delay service. Others are afraid, lost or in minor trouble. To keep them occupied, the station has set up a library of kids’ books and magazines.
But it needs constant restocking because children are encouraged to take materials home. To avoid the hassle of donors driving books to the station, Yolanda Fuentes of CD7 has kindly allowed a book collection box to be placed in North Valley City Hall CD7 offices. CD7 Staff or SLO Caloca will transport them! Look for the box early this week.

■ Need Help With Trespassers?
Prosecutor Ross and SLO Caloca made forms available to formally declare your private, non-commercial property off limits to trespassers. Submitting a yearly form to the City and posting EXACTLY WORDED signs on your property allow LAPD to actually arrest someone for simple misdemeanor trespassing. I’ll provide/post these in emails and on Facebook shortly.

■ Miscellaneous at the Meeting:
Mr. Tony Wilkerson will be a liaison to Council Member Herb Wesson who will be taking over for Felipe Fuentes until a new Member is elected in 2017. Reach Mr. Wilkerson at slowtony@gmail.com. Current CD7 staff remain in place. Tony, we look forward to your enthusiasm and help!